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Strategy Guide (NES) by FerrisBueller (3)
SimCity

Strategy Guide (NES) by FerrisBueller (3)

Navigate SimCity NES with this strategy guide, covering mechanics, tips, and cheats like the Boston Scenario code.

By ···10 min read·Multi-source verified
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Navigate SimCity NES with this strategy guide, covering mechanics, tips, and cheats like the Boston Scenario code.

Walkthrough
  1. 1
    Familiarize yourself with the Game Screen, including the cursor, HUD (Heads-Up Display - on-screen information), and map.
  2. 2
    Understand the In-Game Menus: the Options Menu (Red Top Bar) and the Building Menu (Blue Side Bar).
  3. 3
    Learn about the various Disasters that can occur, such as Airplane crash, Monster (Bowser) attack, Earthquake, Fire, Flood, Nuclear Meltdown, Tornado, and U.F.O. Attack.
  4. 4
    Study Building Methods like Block Methods, Monorail Methods, Edging Industry Effects, Land Reclamation, handling Meltdowns, Port Pollution, and Reaching Megalopolis.
  5. 5
    Address Voter Complaints including Crime, Fire, Housing Costs, Pollution, Taxes, Traffic, and Unemployment.
  6. 6
    Grasp the core Game Mechanics: the 4x4 Land Grid, Land Value, Residential/Commercial/Industrial Zones (RCI), RCI Meter, Pollution, Population Density, Police and Fire Departments, Transit (Roads and Rails), Pollution Mechanics, Power Mechanics, Game Difficulty, and Tax Mechanics.
  7. 7
    Explore Scenarios: Practice, Challenge Scenarios, and Bonus Scenarios.
  8. 8
    Utilize specific Tips/Strategies for NES, including a Tax Tip, avoiding the "Reload Exodus", further avoiding the "Reload Blackout", and the "Steal a City" trick.
  9. 9
    Discover Cheats/Codes: the Boston Scenario, Rio Scenario, general Codes, Debug Mode, and Debug Mode Off.
  10. 10
    Be aware of Bugs/Glitches such as those in Practice, Steal a City, Starting Level, Free Money, Budget, Auto-Budget, Options Menu, Presents, Transit, Always Easy, Challenge Scenarios, and general Spelling errors.
  11. 11
    Note the Differences in NES/SNES Versions for Game Controls, Game Menu, Options Menu, Disasters, Game Mechanics, Presents, Building Methods, Voter Complaints, and Scenarios.
  12. 12
    Understand Dead Strategies/Tricks on NES: Zone Stacking, Money Trick, Off-Map Glitch, 100000 Pop in Practice, Infinite Presents, and Airport/Seaport Cheat(s)/Airport Flame Thrower.
  13. 13
    Review Miscellaneous sections on Upgrades, Unused Sprites, Name Buffers, Random elements, and The Code.
  14. 14
    Consult Footnotes for a Summary, Thank Yous, and Legal Stuff.
Tips
  • To avoid the "Reload Exodus", manage your city carefully to prevent mass departures.
  • The "Steal a City" trick can be a useful, albeit unconventional, strategy.
  • Investigate the "Free Money" glitch for potential budget advantages.
  • Experiment with the Boston Scenario code for unique gameplay opportunities.
  • The "Airport Flame Thrower" is a notable, though perhaps destructive, cheat.

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